From the Editor
Editor’s Page – March/April 2021
Land Line Managing Editor Jami Jones memorializes the one-year anniversary of the COVID-19 shutdowns and how truckers were hailed as heroes.
News
‘Without them, we would be nowhere’
Testifying before the House T&I Committee, OOIDA's Lewie Pugh told lawmakers how they could help truckers through the pandemic.
Power in numbers
OOIDA asks all truckers to come together to fight against minimum insurance increase.
New leadership at DOT
Buttigieg confirmed as secretary; Joshi named FMCSA acting administrator.
Department of Labor rescinds worker classification opinion letter
A change in administrations led the U.S. Department of Labor to go from issuing an opinion letter to rescinding it a week later.
‘Misleading and insulting’
OOIDA says group is attempting to distract from the evasion of transparency regulations by brokers.
OOIDA’s Spencer to chair new driver panel
OOIDA President Todd Spencer will serve as the chairperson of the FMCSA’s new commercial motor vehicle driver panel.
Hack the HVUT
OOIDA gives lawmakers suggestions on how to provide relief to truckers.
FMCSA eyes changes to vision standards
A notice of proposed rulemaking from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration would update vision standards for commercial drivers.
Falling short
OIG report critical of national registry’s backlogs, lack of monitoring.
Yard moves guidance should include truck stops, OOIDA says
OOIDA asked the agency to expand its list of qualifying “yard move” properties to include truck stops and rest areas.
Bills in several states would alter speed limits
Legislators in statehouses around the country are pursing changes to speed limit rules for cars and trucks on their state’s fastest roadways.
Fuel tax changes being considered
Changes sought in statehouses around the country would alter transportation funding via revisions to gas and diesel tax rates.
Left-lane measures gaining steam
Legislators in at least a half-dozen statehouses have introduced bills that are intended to address concern about left lane travel.
OOIDA draws attention to Indiana overweight truck bills
OOIDA continues to highlight opposition to multiple Indiana bills that would put more overweight trucks on state roadways.
State Watch – March/April 2021
Since the first of the year, statehouses have been filled with a flurry of legislative activity.
Truckers mostly exempt from federal mask mandate
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced in late January that its mask mandate specifically exempts truck drivers.
Border disorder
Many ELDs used by U.S. fleets aren’t likely to be compliant in Canada.
The Parking Zone – March/April 2021
OOIDA takes truck parking to the House.
Truck to Success returns in October
OOIDA plans to offer seminar in person and online.
COVID-19 need-to-know info, brought to you by Land Line, OOIDA
Brought to you by Land Line, OOIDA’s COVID-19 resources guide compiles everything truck drivers need to know about COVID-19.
A legal end-around
In spite of a Texas trucking company’s partial loss in Florida Supreme Court, Wilsonart’s dashcam case still has a chance of surviving.
A hulking heavy haul
From Italy to Illinois, enormous reactors reach Wood River.
Remembering Don Phipps
OOIDA Director Emeritus Donald Phipps of Madrid, Iowa, died Jan. 16 at the age of 93. He became an OOIDA board member in 1982.
Vaccine needs to be accessible for truckers who want it, OOIDA says
OOIDA wants truck drivers seeking the COVID-19 vaccine to be made a priority and to have easy access to the inoculation.
NHTSA AV framework comments due April 1
NHTSA gave the public an additional two months to comment on its advance notice of proposed rulemaking regarding automated vehicle safety.
Altered records lead to sentencing of truck company owner
A fatal crash more than two years ago and halfway across the country led to the undoing of a Rhode Island truck company and its owner.
In This Issue:
News
- ‘Without them, we would be nowhere’
- Power in numbers
- New leadership at DOT
- Department of Labor rescinds worker classification opinion letter
- ‘Misleading and insulting’
- OOIDA’s Spencer to chair new driver panel
- Hack the HVUT
- FMCSA eyes changes to vision standards
- Falling short
- Yard moves guidance should include truck stops, OOIDA says
- Bills in several states would alter speed limits
- Fuel tax changes being considered
- Left-lane measures gaining steam
- OOIDA draws attention to Indiana overweight truck bills
- State Watch – March/April 2021
- Truckers mostly exempt from federal mask mandate
- Border disorder
- The Parking Zone – March/April 2021
- Truck to Success returns in October
- COVID-19 need-to-know info, brought to you by Land Line, OOIDA
- A legal end-around
- A hulking heavy haul
- Remembering Don Phipps
- Vaccine needs to be accessible for truckers who want it, OOIDA says
- NHTSA AV framework comments due April 1
- Altered records lead to sentencing of truck company owner
Opinion
Features
Business
- Truck handle prototype addresses slip-and-fall accidents
- A high-tech future
- Looks tough, drives easy
- Daimler sees rising demand for used highway tractors
- Safety concerns ongoing with Kidde extinguishers
- UPS Freight acquired by TFI International for $800 million
- Hot Stuff and Cool Services – March/April 2021
Features
Fallen flag finds its way home
OOIDA member helps get flag back to its guardian – and the flag helps him heal from tragedy
All the buzz
OOIDA life member wins 2020 Landstar All-Star Truck Giveaway with help from unlikely source.
Trucking tunes
OOIDA member’s latest album aptly named ‘Songs From a Truck.’
Putting skills to use
OOIDA life member and former paramedic helps fellow driver after wreck.
Mafia Secrets – March/April 2021
The ‘Perfect Pam Peterbilt.’
OOIDA on the Road – March/April 2021
It’s a Midwest tour instead of a trip to MATS this year.
Dashboard Confidential – March/April 2021
Sometimes you just have to make it work.
Memory Lane: Requiem for Mister Arthur
In this edition of Memory Lane, Land Line’s John Bendel recalls an era of trucking before deregulation and the founder of A-P-A Transport.
Slight Detour – March/April 2021
From a close call with a loose load, a big mess of cheese balls, and a heist that’s just plain nuts.
Roses & Razzberries – March/April 2021
In this edition of Roses and Razzberries, Land Line’s Terry Scruton doles out some doozies to the good and the bad in the trucking industry.
Business
Truck handle prototype addresses slip-and-fall accidents
Oregon State University engineering students, with support from Daimler Trucks, have built a new safety feature.
A high-tech future
Soon, the seven-pin connector won’t be enough.
Looks tough, drives easy
Western Star 49X a premium addition to vocational lineup.
Daimler sees rising demand for used highway tractors
Daimler’s president of remarketing says demand for used trucks rising as the industry gears up for when the economy recovers from COVD-19.
Safety concerns ongoing with Kidde extinguishers
Kidde fire extinguishers put consumers at risk while downplaying the extent of the problem with products carried by commercial drivers.
UPS Freight acquired by TFI International for $800 million
UPS has decided to offload its less-than-truckload division, UPS Freight, for a price tag of $800 million.
Hot Stuff and Cool Services – March/April 2021
A wellness app for truckers, snow removal for your trailer, and a place to hang your hats. Get the lowdown on the latest products in our showcase.
Advice
Maintenance Q&A – March/April 2021
Brake material and coolant loss.
Trucking & Taxes – March/April 2021
New Year's resolutions that will save you money.
Road Law – March/April 2021
If you just pay, you might really pay.